Kitty Farrell came into my life in the summer of 2009. She was one of a small litter of kittens, born to a stray I called Mom Cat. Mom Cat had multiple litters over the years. The first time I saw Kitty was with Mom Cat on a very rainy night. Mom cat was leading Kitty and a black kitten across the alley in the rain, from between a garage and fence. Kitty was grey, with a white patch on her chest, just like Mom Cat. She began coming into my yard and I would feed her. I really couldn't resist. She was adorable! I knew she was feral but needed help and deserved a chance to live. As she grew I realized that I could neither take her in nor could I have her put down. I also didn't want to see her live the life her mom cat had lived; having litters every year and being rejected and homeless, with most of her kittens disappearing. I began researching the option of Trap, Neuter, Release (or Return), otherwise known as TNR.
With some trepidation, I trapped her and took her to the clinic for her neutering. I was asked her name. I had never even thought to give her a name. Without a name she was simply a kitten I was looking after; another nameless kitten in a sea of other nameless cats in the neighborhood, Unable to come up anything clever at the spur of the moment, she became simply "kitty". It was only later that I appended the last name "Farrell". It made me laugh to think she was related to Perry Farrell (of Jane's Addiction and Lollapalooza fame) . Of course, it's only funny if you pronounce "feral" as fair-ell and not fear-ell.
Over the next few years, Kitty greeted me most every morning, or in the evening after I parked my car in the garage. Each winter she managed to survive, all the while ignoring the shelters that I built for her. Someone else in the neighborhood must have been looking after her as well. She wasn't the only feral in the neighborhood. Another cat, that I called scruffy Cat, was a big black tom cat, not especially fond of human interaction. Had TNR done on Scruffy as well.
Kitty came to trust me over time. I have to think someone else helped her see that humans were not all dangerous. She eventually allowed me to scratch her behind her ears or she would rub up against my calves and ankles. Sometimes she'd realize I was touching her and she'd back off with a little start! I never knew where she stayed or who else was helping her but I eventually expected to see her every morning after calling, "kitty, KITTY!". I was able to take some wonderful photos of her. For me, having Kitty around gave me the pleasure and benefit of having a dear animal friend to care for, at a time that I was unable to care for pets in my home.
( to be continued )
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